Nana Grizol

originally published May 2, 2007

Mike White

Nana Grizol is playing at the 40 Watt Club on Saturday, May 5, with The Diamond Center and Madeline.

Nana Grizol is a band that’s been growing rapidly off the radar in a winter-spun cocoon, a raucous butterfly stretching its wet wings in the glow of affectionate audiences at Detour, Little Kings and myriad house shows. As summer unfurls her golden carpet, search for this group in strange places, playing under bridges and over rivers with a newly acquired generator.

With the rocky start expected of such a prolific lineup, they’ve managed to get their shit together with exceeding rapidity, and offer a cogent sound rare to large lineups still moist with infancy. Each show is tighter and more interesting than the last. There’s always something new to see.

Nana Grizol’s live sets, which have blossomed between the cracks of winter’s last grasp like January dandelions through a gray sidewalk, are big, loud, musical slumber parties with costumes, confetti and no short supply of bouncing. Frontman Theo Hilton pours his strong vocal melodies through a shy smile above the bright red glitter of his weathered Fender, buoyed from all sides by the combined energy of DIY’s most promising family band - Hilton, Lacey Jon, Margaret Child, Laura Carter, Matte Cathcart, Patrick Jennings, Ian Rickert, Kate Grace, Robbie Cucchiaro and Madeline Adams, with additional helpers as needed - lending epic strength to his bubbly, hook-rife punk repertoire. With a commendable horn section, various woodwinds, a Rhodes piano, a melodica and a rhythm egg or two in buttressing the traditional three-piece lineup, Nana Grizol provides a new and intriguing sound over songs that can have you singing the chorus at only your second time hearing 'em.Flagpole spoke with Hilton at the big stone table by OK Coffee on a recent bright blue morning.

Flagpole

Is the Nana Grizol set mostly older music?

Theo Hilton

Right now it is older stuff; the newest material is still over six months old, but we’re composing new music and beginning to practice with newer stuff.

Flagpole

Do you write songs differently now that you have a band behind you?

Theo Hilton

Well, I try to write songs that use the instruments we have, and put in lots of sweet horn parts. We’re doing songs that are a bit more conducive to groovin’.

Flagpole

When making and expanding the band, did you search for particular instruments, or just make a found art project of what your friends could already play best?

Theo Hilton

here were a few things I looked for specifically, like the Rhodes piano and the horn section, but other people have come offering what they have and it’s working out really well.

Flagpole

What else have you been working on lately?

Theo Hilton

Over at Orange Twin, we’re putting up a big fence and a chicken coop, it’s looking great. I’m also trying to get into event planning.

Flagpole

Does Nana Grizol have any touring planned?

Theo Hilton

Oh yeah, we have a big tour planned for almost all of July with Society of Probable Monsters. We’re all going to pile into my new bio-diesel van and take off.

Flagpole

Are you planning on staying in Athens for a while?

Theo Hilton

Yes, I’m really excited to be back; I missed folks and I missed the weather and now that it’s summer again, I can’t wait to swim and eat and do everything attendant to summer in Athens… I’ve been in Athens awhile now and have seen thriving periods. I feel like we’re entering the Age of Aquarius, everyone’s coming together. Great things are already happening.

David Commins

Spotlight is a biweekly feature looking at newer or emerging local acts.